Press Room

More than $20,000 Raised for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County

Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 (SLINGER, WI) — The Slinger community took to the skies this past weekend for the annual Big Air for Care event, a high-energy fundraiser at Little Switzerland Ski Area that combined elite athleticism with local philanthropy to raise more than $20,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County.

On Saturday night spectators packed the chalet deck to witness more than 70 competitors launch off a massive "Big Air" jump constructed just outside the chalet. The event was once again supported by presenting sponsor Horicon Bank, which demonstrated its commitment with a $10,000 direct donation to the Boys & Girls Club.

“Reaching 130 years is a testament to the trust our communities have placed in us,” said Horicon Bank President Fred C. Schwertfeger. “Big Air For Care is a meaningful way to honor that legacy – by bringing people together and celebrating the relationships that have shaped Horicon Bank for generations.”

 More than $10,000 was raised during the silent auction, fueled by a diverse array of items donated by local businesses and resort partners, including fitness memberships, tattoo packages, snowboards, and a coveted golf foursome at the world-renowned Irish Course at Whistling Straits.

The centerpiece of the auction was a retired double chair from the historic 1-2 Chairlift. As the ski area prepares to replace 1-2 this summer with two new quad chairlifts, this piece of Little Switzerland history garnered $1,500, the highest winning bid of any auction item. More chairs of the historic lift will be available for auction later this year.  

"As long-time season ticket holders who have been coming to Little Switz since the 90s, we are thrilled to own a piece of the resort's history," said Sara Maatta, winner of the historic 1-2 chairlift double chair. "We were so excited when the new lifts were announced and feel lucky to have a chair from the historic 1-2 lift to call our own."

“The success of Big Air for Care is a testament to the hard work of every staff member and the generosity of our guests,” said Little Switzerland general manager Greg Fisher.  “With Horicon Bank’s contribution and the proceeds from the  big air registration, the 50/50 raffle, and our record breaking silent auction, we are honored to hand over a check for $22,747 to the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County.” 

In addition to Horicon Bank, other key sponsors that helped make the night possible included Mountain Outfitters of West Bend (who provided prizes for the winners of the Big Air),  Monster Energy (which provided free samples to keep the crowd fueled), Little Switzerland, and many more.

Chairlifts to Double Uphill Capacity

Thursday, February, 12, 2026 (SLINGER, WI) — Little Switzerland Ski Area is thrilled to announce its largest single capital project to date with the installation of two brand new Skytrac quad chairlifts. This significant $4
million investment will replace the resort’s original Lifts 1 and 2 double chairs, marking a major milestone in the hill’s history and setting the stage for a dramatically improved guest experience. 

The replacement of the historic 1964 “up-and-over” chairlift—believed to be the first of its kind—is designed to enhance efficiency by more than doubling the uphill capacity for guests. “Lifts 1 and 2 are special lifts in the history of skiing in southeastern Wisconsin,” said Rick Schmitz, co-owner of Little Switzerland. “I learned to ski on them, and they have served generations of skiers and snowboarders well, but this upgrade is all about continuing to move forward—improving reliability, comfort, and the overall guest experience.”

The new Skytrac quads will offer smoother loading and unloading and provide a major boost to skier throughput. This investment underscores Little Switzerland’s ongoing commitment to reinvesting in its facilities and providing the best possible ski experience. Since re-opening the resort in 2012, the Schmitz Brothers have invested millions into snowmaking, terrain expansion, facilities, parking, guest amenities, and surface lift infrastructure.

The new lifts are currently in development and are scheduled to debut for the 2026/2027 season. Guests can follow along for progress updates, photos, and videos on Little Switzerland’s social media channels and website.